When I became a mom, I thought I knew exactly what would fill my heart with gratitude: holding my baby, watching her first steps, and hearing Reese say “Mama.” It turns out that gratitude doesn’t just live in those picture-perfect moments. It’s also hiding in the everyday ones that seem so ordinary—the morning rush of making breakfast, the little chats during a diaper change, and even the lack of privacy. (Mom, that’s a testament to how much our kids need and love us!)
Some of my most thankful moments come wrapped in the most unlikely packages. Being a grateful mother isn’t just about the firsts and milestones—these 6 unexpected moments taught me where joy really lives.
1. The Early Morning Wake-up Calls
It wasn’t that long ago that I’d be up with my youngest child in the middle of the night. But those 2 AM wake-up calls with Jack became our special time. I still cherish those moments even though they are fewer and farther between. And then there’s my early bird Reese, whose tiny hands often pat my face with a whispered “Mommy, are you awake?” Sure, I might need de-puffer patches and an 8-minute power nap before showing up at the ESPN studio for that day, but it’s worth it.Â
Every grateful mother discovers this truth: while we never imagined cherishing these bleary-eyed dawn moments, they’ve become some of our most precious memories. In these minutes before the world wakes up, when tiny heads rest on our shoulders and warm breath tickles our necks, we discover a kind of peace that sleep could never give us.
2. The Unsolicited Advice
Motherhood comes with plenty of opinions. From social media comments to unsolicited advice from the check-out lady or the well-meaning parent at the trampoline park, everyone seems to have something to say. At first, their opinions stirred doubt in me as a mom. But over time, I’ve learned to embrace those moments with gratitude. They’ve taught me to smile, nod, and trust what I know in my heart: I’m the expert on my kids. When I look at Reese and Jack, I know without a doubt that no one understands their needs, their hearts, or their sweet quirks quite like I do. (Well, and Josh!)
Advice is abundant, but you’re the expert on your child, too. Unsolicited advice can remind you to trust your instincts, embrace what works for your family, and let go of the pressure to parent from anyone else’s playbook. Learning to trust yourself in this way is what helps shape you into a more confident and grateful mother.
3. The Tough Days
In sports, championship moments are built during the toughest practice sessions—the grueling ones that test limits and build resilience. Motherhood isn’t so different. We all face days when everything feels impossible: multiple meltdowns before 9 AM, a surprise visit from the stomach bug, or the exhaustion from weeks of interrupted sleep finally catching up with us. Yet, somehow, we dig deep, find our strength, and keep going. It’s what we do as moms.
Those hard days don’t just challenge us—they shape us. They teach us patience, grit, and the art of finding joy in the smallest wins. And because we’ve been through the hard days, we savor the good days even more. For me, seeing how Reese loves her little brother with such pure joy makes my heart swell even bigger than I thought possible. Those moments shine so much more brightly after making it through a tough day.
4. The Everyday Routines
Making turkey chili with my little best friend, proudly wearing her crown and unicorn sweatshirt, or following our well-loved bedtime ritual for the thousandth time–these simple routines have become exactly what my heart needs. They create a rhythm for our family that brings comfort and security, not just for Reese and Jack but for me, too.
Every grateful mother learns that joy camps out in the routine moments: the precise order of bedtime stories that can’t be changed, the cleanup song we hum, and the special drop-off kiss we give to ease separation anxiety. What started as routines created to maintain sanity have transformed into moments that remind us of the profound privilege of raising tiny humans.
5. The Slower Pace
As a sports analyst, I used to measure my days in deadlines and segments. Now, thanks to Reese and Jack, I’ve also learned to measure them in cloud shapes spotted, puddles jumped, and the number of times we can spin in circles to a Taylor Swift song before getting dizzy. (Reese can last longer than me!)Â
As moms, our children show us what the rush of deadlines made us forget – that life’s joy lives in the slow, sweet spaces between schedules. It happens when tiny fingers trace raindrops on windows, when belly laughs echo through the house, and in those quiet moments when a small, warm hand slips into yours during a walk. These aren’t interruptions to our day. They’re invitations to become a more grateful mother.
6. The Unfinished To-Do ListsÂ
Between production meetings and broadcast schedules, I’ve discovered that the most meaningful deadlines aren’t the ones in my calendar but the fleeting moments that won’t wait. Like when my wild man Jack toddles over for a quick snuggle, his tiny hands still sticky from breakfast, or when Reese insists on telling me about an elaborate dream where she was a football.
In the world of live sports, we’re taught that timing is everything. But motherhood operates on its own clock, one that doesn’t sync with our carefully crafted schedules. And those unfinished lists? They aren’t signs of failure. They’re proof that we chose joy over perfection and presence over productivity.Â
What unexpected things make you a grateful mother?
